Bill authorizes Brazilian farmers to buy agrochemicals directly in other Mercosur countries

In December, Brazilian senator Luis Carlos Heinze from the Progressive Party, presented a bill (PL 4.316/21) authorizing Brazilian rural producers to purchase pesticides from Mercosur member countries (Mercado Comum do Sul).

This South American economic bloc includes Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay and Venezuela, but the latter has been suspended. Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Peru and Suriname are also “associated states” of Mercosur.

The senator's proposal “waives the need for import registration of agricultural pesticides to encourage competition, reduce production costs in the countryside and, consequently, the price of food.”

According to the text filed on 7th December, relevant products must be bought exclusively for the personal use of Brazilian producers and cannot be resale or passed on.

The bill covers all agrochemicals registered in Mercosur member countries and contain formulations authorized in Brazil.

Brazilian senator Luis Carlos Heinze stressed some agricultural inputs were increased by more than 100% last year, adding glyphosate, one of the main herbicides, increased by 126.8%.

“We are always alert about the price differences between our country and Argentina, Uruguay, and Paraguay. Due to the effects of the crisis, these disparities have become even more accentuated. My bill, in addition to guaranteeing the necessary inputs for the production of food, will create an environment with greater competition and more favorable prices,” he said.

The bill is awaiting an order from the president of the Brazilian Senate, Senator Rodrigo Pacheco. After being analyzed by senators, the matter still needs to be discussed by federal deputies. If approved, it will proceed for presidential approval. “It is an extremely important text and we will do our best to pass it into law as soon as possible,” Heinze said in conclusion.

(Editing by Leonardo Gottems, reporter for AgroPages)